Your son's doctor can usually diagnose a retractile testicle. However, if there is any question about the diagnosis or need for immediate treatment, you might be referred to a doctor who specializes in urinary disorders and problems with male genitals in children (pediatric urologist).
Be prepared to answer the following questions on your child's behalf or to help him answer questions:
Sept. 16, 2015
- Were both testicles previously identified as descended in a well-baby or annual exam?
- When did you notice the absence of the testicle in the scrotum?
- Have you observed this before?
- Has your child experienced any pain in his testicles or groin?
- Has your son ever been treated for a hernia?
- Has your son experienced any trauma to his genitals or groin?
- Keys C, et al. Retractile testes: A review of the current literature. Journal of Pediatric Urology. 2012;8:2.
- Kliegman RM, et al., eds. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal content. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 2, 2015.
- Cooper CS, et al. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism) in children: Clinical features and evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 2, 2015.
- Agarwal PK, et al. Retractile testis—Is it really a normal variant? Journal of Urology. 2006;175:1496.
- Gearhart JP, et al., eds. Cryptorchidism. In: Pediatric Urology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 2, 2015.
- Hack WW, et al. Acquired undescended testis: Putting the pieces together. International Journal of Andrology. 2012;35:41.
- Stec AA, et al. Incidence of testicular ascent in boys with retractile testes. Journal of Urology. 2007;178:1722.
- Cooper CS, et al. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism) in children: Overview of management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 2, 2015.
- Kolon TF, et al. Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism: AUA guideline. Journal of Urology. 2014;192:337.
- Granberg CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 2, 2015.